Abstract
Self-reacting friction stir welding (SR-FSW), also called bobbin-tool friction stir welding (BT-FSW), is a solid state welding process similar to friction stir welding (FSW) except that the tool has two opposing shoulders instead of the shoulder and a backing plate found in FSW. The tool configuration results in greater heat input and a symmetrical weld macrostructure. A significant amount of information has been published in the literature concerning traditional FSW while little has been published about SR-FSW. An optimization experiment was performed using a factorial design to evaluate the effect of process parameters on the weld temperature, surface and internal quality, and mechanical properties of self-reacting friction stir welded aluminum alloy 6061-T6 butt joints. The parameters evaluated were tool rotational speed, traverse speed, and tool plunge force. A correlation between weld temperature, defect formation (specifically galling and void formation), and mechanical properties was found. Optimum parameters were determined for the welding of 8-mm-thick 6061-T6 plate.
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The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of this research provided by the Materials and Processes Branch at NASA Johnson Space Center and Jacobs ESCG.
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Trueba, L., Torres, M.A., Johannes, L.B. et al. Process optimization in the self-reacting friction stir welding of aluminum 6061-T6. Int J Mater Form 11, 559–570 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12289-017-1365-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12289-017-1365-4